Manny Ramirez to join Triple-A Iowa Cubs as player/coach on Thursday

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Cubs say Manny Ramirez will begin his stint as a player/coach for Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate on Thursday in Colorado Springs.

Chicago announced on May 25 that it had signed the 42-year-old Ramirez to be an assistant coach and part-time player at Iowa. Cubs President Theo Epstein says Ramirez will not be added to Chicago’s major league roster this season.

Ramirez last played in the majors three years ago in a brief stint in Tampa Bay, and he spent most of the past month in extended spring training in Arizona.

Ramirez is expected to serve as a mentor to some of Chicago’s top prospects, including infielders Javier Baez and Kris Bryant.